Grace in Wonderland - Chapter 24

24. A Mustard Seed

Richard Spencer spoke to Eleanor as if he had done her a great favor.

“Well, it seems you enjoyed the journey. Surely better than sharing a carriage with me.”

As if he had done something remarkable. Just because he didn’t accompany her.

Sebastian grumbled silently to himself. Don’t normal people boast after they’ve actually done something? Is it right to act as though you’ve done something extraordinary when you haven’t lifted a finger?

Even Sebastian thought Eleanor might have been fortunate to ride with Lancelot, Freya, and the Countess instead. Spending an entire day in a carriage with a man who only spoke when he wanted to and cut conversations short when he didn’t was an ordeal only Sebastian and God could understand.

The Countess was temperamental, but she could be kind to those she deemed deserving. Freya was curious about Eleanor, and Lancelot was kind to everyone.

In that sense, Sebastian found himself, despite his prejudices, genuinely impressed by Grace Gurton. Given Richard Spencer’s temperament and the current circumstances, it was unthinkable that he would have treated Grace warmly.

“That may be true…”

Sebastian deliberately drew out his words. If he agreed, he risked being scolded for mocking his master. If he disagreed, he’d have to admit Richard wasn’t wrong.

In Sebastian’s eyes, Richard and Eleanor were mirror images of each other. Sebastian was confident no one else in the world was as similar to Richard Spencer as Eleanor d’Estrée.

Objectively speaking, the two were aristocratic to the core, with a dignity so overflowing it seemed to pile up around them. They had refined smiles that lifted the corners of their lips ever so slightly, flawless escort techniques as if rehearsed a hundred times, and impeccable conversations that revealed no hidden motives.

Subjectively, however, the pair were artificial to the point of absurdity. Their stiff, sneering smiles, devoid of warmth; mechanical escorts, utterly lacking humanity; and superficial dialogue, designed to conceal ulterior motives, painted a very different picture.

Anyone who saw them together would nod and agree they made a perfect couple. When the autumn social season began, Sebastian could already predict what people would say about the Spencer “Young Earl” and his fiancée.

To their faces, they’d be praised as a picturesque, harmonious pair. Behind their backs, they’d be dismissed as a dull, lifeless duo.

Since taking on the duty of attending to the pair, Sebastian found himself yawning in secret more often. Watching a young, energetic couple on the brink of engagement had never been so tedious. Their politeness and indifference to each other made them seem like a couple married for decades, putting on a show of amiability despite having eight children.

When a man and woman meet, there should be a spark—a chemical reaction.

Eating cake, noticing cream smeared on the corner of their mouth, saying, “You’ve got something there,” pretending not to know exactly where, dabbing the wrong spot with a napkin, and then casually reaching out, wiping it off, and licking the cream off their fingers… shouldn’t there be moments like that?

Lancelot Spencer was like a pebble tossed between two silent logs floating on still water, creating ripples. In this way, Lancelot’s personality was an anomaly within the Spencer family. Unlike his relatives, often described as indifferent to the point of arrogance, Lancelot’s demeanor was sweet and tender.

This was likely the result of being showered with love by the Countess. Love, after all, is best learned by those who have experienced it. Having continued to receive his mother’s affection well into his twenties, Lancelot Spencer’s heart had grown plump with kindness.

Unlike Richard, who maintained a strained relationship with Lancelot, Eleanor seemed to have grown close to him.

If Eleanor married Richard, perhaps her presence could serve as a bridge to mend the twins’ relationship. Sebastian speculated that this might be what Lancelot hoped for from his brother’s marriage.

“By the way, you spent the entire day with Miss Gurton…?” Sebastian asked casually.

Having spent so much time together, Richard, with his knack for reading situations, must have already formed an opinion about her. He wasn’t oblivious; he simply found unnecessary analysis bothersome. In truth, Young Earl Spencer was a keen judge of character and a skilled strategist.

Before long, Lady Mary Montague would announce her plan to adopt Grace Gurton into society. The news would break as early as their stay in Bath or, at the latest, during the autumn social season in Lydon.

How many would gossip about her then? If Sebastian could strategically slip in a few pieces of insider information during those discussions, he might attract some attention from the ladies. Perhaps he could finally escape his lonely bachelorhood.

If that happened, Sebastian thought, he could throw away his duties and move back to his hometown, have four children, and live peacefully…

“Sebastian, are you trying to pair me with her? That’s utterly repugnant.”

Wait… what was this unexpected response?

“That’s not something you should say to someone engaged to be married, is it?”

What kind of reply was that?

Sebastian blinked, confused.

“…Did someone say anything?”

Sebastian, stumbling over his words, asked without much clarity.

“……”

Richard narrowed his eyes at him. Then, all at once, it hit him: he had misunderstood Sebastian’s question.

Could it be that she truly likes me?

Could it be that she truly likes me?

Could it be that she truly likes me?

This ridiculous thought kept echoing in Richard’s mind like a rugby ball ricocheting uncontrollably, ignoring his wishes and smashing around without care.

“Excuse me, Young Master.”

Sebastian’s sharp gaze grew more intense as he moved closer. His flushed expression made Richard grimace, bracing himself for what was to come. In situations like these, brazenness was the best defense against future repercussions.

“Well, I doubt it, but…”

“……”

“I’ll be direct.”

“……”

“Do you have feelings for Miss Grace Gurton?”

“No.”

Richard’s reply was as lofty and resolute as when he spoke of Eleanor d’Estrée. The gaze of the noble Richard Spencer didn’t falter over such trivial matters.

“Not even the size of a mustard seed?”

If there was one thing Sebastian excelled at, it was reading people. Especially in matters involving women and romance, his intuition was as sharp as the prophecies and oracles delivered at the Temple of Delphi.

However, like a monk who couldn’t shave his own head, his sharpness applied only to others. This was why Sebastian remained unmarried, endlessly trailing after Richard Spencer.

What is a mustard seed? According to the Great Ingrint National Church’s scripture, a mustard seed, though as tiny as dust, grows into a great tree that shelters birds. With proper care—watering it and giving it sunlight…

“Forget I asked.”

And with Richard Spencer’s formidable emotional wall in place!

The seed would likely die before it even sprouted.

“Are you sure it’s not true?”

“Don’t say nonsense.”

“Then why bring it up out of nowhere?”

“You’re the one who asked such a misleading question.”

“Me?”

“When you ask how it was without context, of course, I’d assume…”

Or maybe not? Could something be budding?

Richard caught Sebastian’s faintly mischievous expression and clamped his mouth shut. Once Sebastian started smirking, there was no end. As always, cutting the conversation short was the best option.

“Let’s end this here.”

Richard turned away. Sebastian watched him feign indifference, his eyes filled with curiosity and suspicion, before speaking again. Some matters required confirmation, after all.

“So, what do you think? Is Miss Gurton the kind of enchantress who could charm Lady Montague and exploit her?”

From what Sebastian had seen, Grace Gurton seemed like an innocent woman. But that impression came from mere minutes of interaction during her greeting and room assignment. He couldn’t claim to know her true nature.

“Well…”

Sebastian swallowed hard. Did he really need to pause like this?

“I plan to find out.”

Richard replied with determination.